This Mama Cooks! On a Diet™

Loving my Conair Infiniti Pro Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron

2013-05-19T18:01:57Z

Ever since I moved to Georgia from Colorado a year ago I’ve been frustrated by my hair. Back in Colorado with its dry air and lack of humidity, I could air dry my hair and was happy how it looked. My hair dried straight with a bit of a messy (on purpose) wave on the ends as you can see in my this photo. All I would have to do it blow dry the bangs to fight against my natural cowlick.

Here in Georgia with its high humidity, this is how my hair dries – super wavy and really dorky. HATE IT!

I have to spend at least 30 minutes blow drying and styling my hair until it’s super dry. Then an hour later, it’s poufy and messy looking again. It’s so frustrating even though I use anti-frizz products on my hair and my stylist cuts it so it’ll blow dry straight. There have been times where I’ve paid to have a professional blow out before a big event just so my hair looks decent.

Luckily at SoFabCon I received a Infiniti Pro Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron [affiliate link] from Conair, one of the conference sponsors. While I was under no obligation to write a review, I had to share with you that I LOVE using the Infiniti Pro Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron. In fact, I can truly say it’s changed my life as it now makes getting ready and looking good such a breeze.

OK, maybe "life changing"is a bit of an exaggeration, but I do like that I can now wash my hair, put in my favorite styling cream, Garnier Fructis Style Curl Calm Down Anti-Frizz Cream [affiliate link], and then air dry it. Then I use some Garnier Fructis Haircare Weightless Leave-In Anti-Frizz Serum [affiliate link] and then use the Infiniti Pro to iron my hair straight so it looks good. Plus, it stays straight and fabulous looking until the next shampoo, even after sleeping on it. LOVE IT!

Here’s how my hair looks after using the Conair Infiniti Flat Iron:

So much better, right? I can go from wavy, messy, awful hair to polished straight, professional looking hair in about 15 minutes. The only thing I don’t use the Conair Infiniti Pro Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron on is my bangs. Since I want them to curl under slightly, I’m still using a blow dryer to style them with a rounded brush.

I especially like the Infiniti Flat Iron because it only takes 15 seconds to heat up. It features 30 different heat settings for various styles and has floating plates to straighten or flip hair. The auto-off feature keeps the flat iron safe if accidently left on, too. The Infiniti Flat Iron includes a .25 fl. oz. bonus pack for Argan Oil Fusion, which helps condition hair.

Finally, it’s super affordable at around $30. You can buy the Conair Infiniti Flat Iron on Amazon.com as well as Target, Walmart, and Kohl’s.

What do use on your hair to get the perfect style?

Loving my Conair Infiniti Pro Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Sip and Refresh with The Republic of Tea’s Large Pouch Iced Teas {freebie code} #tea #SipbySpip

2013-05-20T15:51:15Z

Just in time for warmer weather, May’s shipment from The Republic of Tea featured four of their delicious line of iced teas. What makes their iced tea stand out from the rest is The Republic of Tea’s new collection of Large Iced Tea Pouches! These premium, all-natural and Certified Gluten Free iced tea bags are perfectly portioned for easy to steep, healthy tea to help you make the perfect iced tea pitcher every time. These innovative teas allow for safe steeping and, when done, can even be added to compost or soil to make gardens happy.

Here’s what I received this month:

GINGER PEACH BLACK ICED TEA – This fresh and flavorful black tea offers the lushness of a juicy peach seasoned with the tingle of spicy ginger.

HIBISCUS SANGRIA HERBAL ICED TEA – Inspired by traditional Spanish sangria, this delightful, caffeine-free herbal blend infuses tangy, premium Nigerian hibiscus flowers with a bounty of fruit.

LIMÓN BLACK ICED TEA – A Kosher-certified blend of fine black tea from three Rainforest Alliance Certified tea gardens creates a base with classic, full-bodied flavor. Black limón (dried lime from Guatemala) is added for a refreshingly tart, citrus accent.

WATERMELON MINT BLACK ICED TEA – This black tea captures the essence of summer with the natural, fresh sweetness of sun-ripened watermelon finished with a touch of cool peppermint. This one was my favorite and was especially yummy with Republic of Tea’s special Agave Nectar.

If you purchase one tin of The Republic of Tea’s new Large Iced Tea Pouches between Tuesday, May 21 and Tuesday, May 28 you will receive one complimentary bottle of agave nectar – the ideal all-natural iced tea sweetener (limit one per customer). Just use the promo code – #ICEDTEA6 – at checkout.

How to make iced tea

Read The Republic of Tea’s article on How To Make Iced Tea for brewing tips. Or watch this video!

Do you make iced tea from scratch during the summer months?

Sip and Refresh with The Republic of Tea’s Large Pouch Iced Teas {freebie code} #tea #SipbySpip is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Win Udi’s Gluten Free goodies at our Monday, May 20th summertime chat at noon EST #gfcommunity

2013-05-19T16:32:39Z

My kids have only two more days of school! So I’m already planning for day trips, summer camp, and family camping trips – what about you? Let’s chat about what you and your family is doing this summer on Monday, May 20th (that’s TOMORROW!) at noon HERE on the Udi’s Gluten Free Community site. (Or in the widget below.)

Udi’s Gluten Free Community Leaders Toni from Boulder Locavore, Sarah from Sarah Stanley Inspired, and I will be discussing summertime fun and food! We’ll be sharing some great gluten free dishes for all of summer's different outings from camping to potlucks to barbecues!

And we’re also giving away some terrific prizes from Udis’ Gluten Free that will be perfect for your summertime food plans including:

3 packs of hot dog buns
3 packs of classic hamburger buns
3 packs of whole grain hamburger buns
3 boxes of snicker doodle cookies
3 loaves of white sandwich bread
3 boxes of blueberry muffins

Hope to see you at the chat on Monday, May 20th HERE (or below) at noon EST/9 am PST!

Win Udi’s Gluten Free goodies at our Monday, May 20th summertime chat at noon EST #gfcommunity is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Checking out the patio furniture on my trip to the Home Depot #DigIn

2013-05-17T16:21:30Z

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot. All opinions and experiences are my own.

After evaluating our backyard patio space, I took a trip to my local Home Depot store for some design inspiration. Even though I love shopping online, sometimes it’s nice to see the items – especially big purchases like patio furniture – in real life. It helps to look at the patio cushion colors and fabrics as well as the materials of the patio furniture sets – wicker, cast iron, aluminum or teak.

I also like to drag the furniture around a bit to feel its weight and determine its size. Will it fit on my patio? Is it so heavy that it’ll tear up the wooden deck surface? Or is it something that needs to be placed in one area and left there?

If I purchase something at the store (or order it online for a store pickup) will it be something wimpy me can put into the back of my Subaru wagon? Will it take one trip or several trips? Or maybe I’ll need my husband and a few big guys from the UGA football team to load it into his truck and then carry it out to the deck? If it’s a lot of stuff and it’s heavy, maybe it’s worth getting it shipped to the house instead! (Keep in mind that Home Depot will ship patio furniture purchases over $399 free to your home.)

Getting a taste of what Home Depot has to offer

I saw a lot of patio furniture and accessories that I liked at my local Home Depot store such as:

Outdoor area rugs: So glad I saw this at the store, as I hadn’t thought of using outdoor rugs on my patio before. For example, outdoor rugs might be something to use underneath patio tables to make the chairs easier to slide over the wooden deck floor. It would also be nice to have a rug for the kids and dog to sit and play on. While they had a decent selection at my local Home Depot store, the area rug online selection is even better. Online, I like the Nourison Home & Garden Daisies Ivory 10 ft. x 13 ft. Indoor / Outdoor Area Rug as it has a bit of a vintage vibe. I also like the Shaw Living Beach Tangerine 7 ft. 10 in. x 10 ft. 6 in. Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug for it’s tropical beach vibe.

Hammocks: While they had a few inexpensive and attractive selections in the store, my husband and I talked about getting a more durable hammock that can endure Georgia’s frequent rains, heat, humidity, and dampness. I saw one string hammock online that might work, the Pawleys Island Deluxe Polyester Patio Rope Hammock. All the Pawleys Island hammocks have great reviews on the Home Depot website and I like that this model is humid weather resistant for longevity and can accommodate two people – either me and my husband, both kids, or a parent and child. At $179.99 it was a lot cheaper than some of the fancy ones we saw on sale at a street festival last year, too!

Wrought iron furniture: So glad to see that they had both types of wrought iron patio furniture I was looking for – the glider and the chaise lounge. Unfortunately, there were no floor models on display. But I was glad to see that the furniture is made in the U.S.A.! Even though wrought iron is heavy and has the potential of scratching up our wooden deck (thus the need for an outdoor patio area rug), it does go with what we have currently. Plus it’s very affordable since both pieces are $179 each.

Tiki torches: My husband has attached wooden tiki torches to the patio railing, but these bigger stand type torches are really cool, too. We fill the torches with citronella to keep the mosquitos away. Plus, they’re a lot of fun at night when it’s dark as they make you feel like you’re attending a luau in the jungle.

A video tour of my trip to Home Depot

I also saw some lovely patio furniture sets that I really liked like the Hampton Bay Fall River 7-pc Dining Set (the first picture up top). I’d probably choose this line if I was starting from scratch as I believe that metal patio furniture works best for where we live since furniture would be out year round and it would stand up to the constant rains and humidity. It would also be easy to clean off with our power washer and it goes with the color of our wooden deck.

However, I also loved the Martha Stewart Living Charlottetown Seating Set Loveseat, Coffee Table and Lounge Chair. If wicker went with our back patio, I’d pick this. (We have wicker furniture on our covered front porch.) Isn’t it great?! I love the colors of the patio cushions and pillows and the warmth and vintage feel of the wicker.

Here’s a quick video tour of all the other patio furniture and accessories I saw on my visit to Home Depot.

Home Depot truly has the widest selection of patio umbrellas, cushions, pillows and gazebos to experience the outdoors in style in comfort at affordable prices both in the store and online. Check ‘em out!

It’s home improvement time, and The Home Depot has everything you need to #DigIn for Spring. No matter what projects you want to tackle, they have great values on all you need. They’re ready to help you with renovation ideas and expert advice, too.

Get over $300 in email exclusive savings each year, sneak peeks on new products, monthly lawn & garden ideas for your region and access to The Home Depot’s gardening experts. Click here to join the world’s largest garden community today! Or go to homedepot.com/gardenclub to see some of the many benefits of membership.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.

Checking out the patio furniture on my trip to the Home Depot #DigIn is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Monsters University’s Got Milk!

2013-05-15T20:13:52Z

There’s a new movie theater being built near us and I can’t wait for it to open so I can enjoy some of the new summer releases like Monsters University. (Monsters Inc. is one of my favorite Pixar movies.) That’s why I had to share this fun “got milk?” movie tie in.

At Monsters University, it takes a lot to fuel a day of scaring and nothing scares up successful days more than a breakfast with milk. A glass of milk – with 8 grams of high-quality protein in each 8 oz serving – can help power your monster days!

You can connect with the Milk Mustache community for tips, tools and activities including tasty morning recipes for all the big and little “monsters” in your family. You can also connect with them on:

Facebook: /MilkMustache
Twitter: @MilkMustache
Instagram: @MilkMustache
Pinterest: /MyMilkMustache

And while you’re online, don’t forget to “like” Monsters University on Facebook and follow Disney/Pixar on Twitter for the latest news on the movie. Monsters University releases in theaters on June 21st!

Monsters University’s Got Milk! is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Wordless Wednesday: Dinner at Tom Douglas’s Palace Ballroom in Seattle #WindowsChampions #WW

2013-05-15T18:18:36Z

During the Windows Champions event in Seattle, we were treated to a wonderful dinner at the Palace Ballroom and entertained with a cooking demo (that was more of a cooking philosophy session) by restaurateur extraordinaire, Tom Douglas. Tom is a wonderful storyteller and inspirational as a man who passionate about good quality food and loves what he does for a living.

The evening’s menu included:

Caramelized Rapini & Fontina Grilled Cheese
Dahlia Bakery Breads
Carrot Handpie with Shaved Washington Asparagus Salad
Apple Wood Grilled Pork Loin with Shrimp Fried Barley and Green Onion Confit Sauce
Maple Éclair with Rhubarb Green Apple Sorbet

While Tom talked with us, patiently answered our questions, and got us a round of tequila(!) he casually mentioned that his famous coconut cream pies cost $40 because they’re amazing. To prove this, he had his staff go to his bakery to pick up a pie. It was as delicious as he claimed! So if you’re in Seattle, make sure to check out any of his establishments. I guarantee that you’ll love them as much as I did!

Wordless Wednesday: Dinner at Tom Douglas’s Palace Ballroom in Seattle #WindowsChampions #WW is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Greens, Eggs & Ham Flatbread Pizza & Taste of Chicago Giveaway #FlatoutGood

2013-05-15T00:54:01Z

I’m always on the lookout for food products that make it easier to get dinner on the table, like premade pizza crusts. That’s why I was excited to come across Flatout Flatbread’s Thin Crust Flatbreads Artisan Pizza at Walmart. (Find the store nearest you that sells Flatout’s Thin Crust Flatbreads here.)

I’ve been a big fan of Flatout Flatbread’s other products and was sad to give them up when I went gluten free. However, with Flatout’s Thin Crust Flatbreads, I can use these for my family and save my much more expensive gluten free pizza crusts for me. I’m sure my family will find these a bit more delicious, too.

I especially like individually sized flatbread pizzas since you can custom make them with everyone’s favorite pizza toppings – perfect for picky kids or those with food sensitivities or allergies. Flatout’s Thin Crust Flatbreads also make great party appetizers – just cutting them up into smaller, bite sized pieces. Finally, Flatout’s Thin Crust Flatbreads can be used on the grill as well as the oven.

A Seattle and Dr. Seuss inspired pizza

When I was in Seattle, I had the most wonderful salad – a chopped sirloin patty served on romaine lettuce with a runny egg on top - at Von's GustroBistro. Marvelous!

I started brainstorming about doing something similar with a pizza – greens, eggs, and ham like the famous Dr. Seuss story, Green Eggs and Ham! Instead of ham, I decided to use diced prosciutto since it would be easy to evenly sprinkle it over the flatbread. For greens, I used a mix of arugula and spinach, but feel free to experiment and use your favorite lettuce greens. I also used Flatout’s Spicy Italian Thin Crust Flatbread. If it’s too spicy for you or your family, use Rustic White, Heritage Wheat, or Rosemary & Olive Oil instead.

Also, I should warn you there are hazards serving not fully cooked eggs to family and friends. If you have concerns, you can bake the egg until it’s cooked through. Or you can use slices of hard boiled eggs on your pizza instead. (Adjust cooking times accordingly to just melt cheese, cook greens, and warm egg slices.)

How to make Greens, Eggs & Ham Flatbread Pizza [VIDEO]

Greens, Egg & Ham Flatbread Pizza

Serves 1 to 2 people

Ingredients:

1 Spicy Italian Flatout Thin Crust Flatbread
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 cup diced prosciutto
1/2 cup shredded pizza cheese (I used a mix of parmesan, asiago, fontina, and mild provolone.)
1 cup mixed greens (I used spinach and arugula.)
2 eggs
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Using a pastry brush, brush on olive oil on one side of flatbread.
Place flatbread oil side up on to a baking sheet or pizza peel.
Evenly sprinkle prosciutto then shredded cheese on to flatbread.
Cover the flatbread with greens. Make two small “wells” in the greens on either end of the flatbread to hold the eggs.
Place in oven for 5 until cheese starts to melt. (If using a pizza peel, slide flatbread on to a pizza stone.)
Remove pizza from oven. Carefully crack eggs into your wells in the greens. Gently put the pizza back in the oven.
Continue baking for 13 minutes until the egg is cooked but still runny.
Carefully remove the flatbread pizza from oven and sprinkle just the egg with a little salt and pepper. Allow to rest for a minute or two.
Cut in half and serve. You can use pieces of crust to dip into the yolk. Or you can break the yolk and spread it over the surface of your pizza if you like.

Enter the Flatout Flatbread "Taste of Chicago" Giveaway!

Talking about pizza, Flatout Flatbread is giving away a trip for two to attend the Taste of Chicago July 10-14, 2013 – home of some of the best pizza in the country! Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can find more Flatout pizza recipes – enough for a full month – on the Flatout Flatbread’s Grilled Pizza Party on Facebook!

Check out these Flatout recipes from This Mama Cooks! On a Diet:

Greens, Eggs & Ham Flatbread Pizza & Taste of Chicago Giveaway #FlatoutGood is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Meatless Monday: Multigrain Spaghetti with Basil Kale Pesto #meatlessmonday

2013-05-13T21:17:44Z

Even though we have lots of herbs growing in our garden, I’m still enjoying cooking with my tubes of Gourmet Garden Herbs and Spices. (You can read my Gourmet Garden review here.) This recipe from the folks at Gourmet Garden is perfect for Meatless Monday, especially since it gets a boost of vegetarian protein from the raw almonds and lots of veggie goodness from the kale and basil. If you have a food sensitivity or allergy to almonds, use pine nuts instead.

Multigrain Spaghetti with Basil Kale Pesto

Recipe from Gourmet Garden

Serves 6

Ingredients:

3/4 pound kale, stemmed, rinsed
1/2 cup whole raw almonds
1 tube Gourmet Garden Basil
2 tablespoon Gourmet Garden Garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
8 ounce multigrain spaghetti

Directions:

Bring large pot of water to boil. Submerge all kale in boiling water, stirring until bright green but still crisp for 60-90 seconds. Drain kale, and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Squeeze dry.
In blender or food processor combine kale, almonds, Gourmet Garden Basil, Gourmet Garden Garlic, oil and water. Blend until smooth. Add cheese. Blend. Add more water, if necessary, to reach desired consistency.
Cook 8 ounces of multigrain spaghetti according to package directions. Drain. Toss immediately with 3/4 cup basil kale pesto. Serve immediately.
Reserve remaining pesto for another use. Pesto will keep in an airtight container in refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. Can be frozen for up to 6 months. Makes 1-1/2 cups

Nutritional information

Calories 359
Total Fat 17 g
Sat Fat 2 g
Cholesterol 2 mg
Sodium 599 mg
Fiber 10 g
Carbs 40 g
Protein 11 g

Recipe and picture used with permission.

Meatless Monday: Multigrain Spaghetti with Basil Kale Pesto #meatlessmonday is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Slow Cooker Spicy Pulled Pork Tacos #McCormickTacoNight

2013-05-12T20:11:23Z

Tacos are always a go-to meal at my house when I don’t know what else to make, whether it’s fish tacos with a little homemade queso fresca, grilled carne asada tacos, or ground meat with taco seasoning. That’s why when The Motherhood asked me to cook up a Taco Night recipe with McCormick spices, I was happy to join in – especially since they are giving away 30 McCormick Spice Kits in their Pinterest Taco Night Challenge! (See details below.)

The beauty of a Family Taco Night is that it’s easy to make, easy to clean up, and everyone can usually find something they like to eat. With that in mind, I chose to do a pulled pork in my slow cooker using several spices from McCormick’s Gourmet Collection like Smoked Paprika, Chipotle Chile Pepper, and Sicilian Sea Salt along with Ground Cumin and Garlic Powder from their regular line. (Some of the McCormick spices I already had in my kitchen cabinet. Others were sent to me by The Motherhood.) I figured the smokiness of several of the spices would give the feeling of smoked pulled pork without the hassle. Plus, what could be easier to clean up than a slow cooker?

(Here's a recipe for smoked pulled pork done in a smoker that's almost as easy.)

How do you serve your tacos?

I like serving my tacos on warm soft corn tortillas street taco style with the following toppings:

chopped cilantro straight from the garden
salsa – sweet, verde and/or fresca
Mexican hot sauce
shredded Mexican-style cheese
crumbled queso fresca
wedges of lime
diced tomatoes
slices of avocado
chopped green onions

Feel free to use any or all of your favorite toppings along with my Slow Cooker Spicy Pulled Pork Tacos. Or you can make a taco bowl on white or brown rice or pulled pork burritos. Leftover pulled pork can also be reheated with eggs and potatoes in a breakfast hash style dish.

Slow Cooker Spicy Pulled Pork Tacos

You’ll probably notice that I made a huge amount of pulled pork in my large, six-quart Crockpot, since you cannot get a pork shoulder smaller than six pounds here in Georgia. It’s barbecue season and people are serious about their Boston butt around these parts! If you have the same situation in your hometown, feel free to save this recipe for when you’re throwing a Taco Night party or freeze half the meat after cooking for a future Family Taco Night.

Serves 4 people with lots of leftovers or 8 people with hearty appetites!

Ingredients:

1 (6-pound) pork shoulder (also called, “Boston butt”)
2 (14-ounce) cans petite diced tomatoes with green chilies
2 teaspoons McCormick Smoked Paprika
2 teaspoons McCormick Chipotle Chile Pepper
2 teaspoons McCormick Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon McCormick Cumin
4 tablespoons coconut palm sugar or brown sugar
1 teaspoon McCormick Sicilian Sea Salt

Directions:

Trim any extra fat off of the pork shoulder and place it in your slow cooker.
Place canned tomatoes and seasonings in a medium sized bowl. Stir until combined.
Pour spicy tomato mixture over the pork shoulder, evenly covering it.
Place lid on slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or until pork is tender enough to pull apart with a fork.
When cooked through, removed shoulder from slow cooker and place on a large carving board or platter.
Pull apart – or shred – pork with two forks. Remove any bones and discard.
Strain the liquid from the slow cooker to capture smaller pieces of pork and the diced tomato.
Place shredded pork in an oven safe dish and add tomatoes. Cover dish with foil and keep on warm in the oven until serving time.
Place pulled pork and your favorite taco fillings on your tortilla of choice. Enjoy!

Win a McCormick Spice Kit by entering the Pinterest Taco Night Challenge!

To win one of 30 McCormick Spice kits, pin or repin any taco recipe (including this one as well as any on the McCormick Taco Night Pinterest board) with the hashtag #MCormickTacoNight. Make sure to tag me - @amnichols - in each pin. You have until May 31, 2012 to enter.

Slow Cooker Spicy Pulled Pork Tacos #McCormickTacoNight is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Evaluating our backyard patio space #DigIn

2013-05-09T19:09:21Z

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot. All experiences and opinions are my own.

One of the reasons we bought our home in Georgia was because it had two large decks over looking a forest with great patio space for entertaining, dining, lounging, and even working outside on nice days. However, our current patio furniture needs updating, especially the cushions on the vintage patio furniture set we own. (It could also use a coat of black paint to match the newer patio table and chairs set.)

We could also use a few chaise lounges, maybe a bistro table and chairs set, a long narrow table to replace one of the beat up ones we currently own, or even a fire pit. A glider or swing would be fun, too! We have a lot of space that’s covered as well as uncovered, so how do I take advantage of all the patio space we have? (And yes, the canoe needs to be put back in the garage. Ahem.)

That’s when I turned to Home Depot for some ideas. Before I went over to my local store, I checked their online patio furniture section to see what they carried. I was especially interested in patio furniture that matched my current metal table and chairs set.

Looking around their website, I liked the Hampton Bay Fall River 7-Piece Dining Set, but didn’t think I needed another full set of patio dining furniture since I had one table on the lower deck and another one on the top deck. Still, having a bigger table would be desirable when we have company over or were having a party. Hmmmm…

My husband, Paul, had talked about getting a fire pit, so the Hampton Bay Millstone 5-Piece Fire Pit Seating Set looked really cool. But maybe all we needed was a Hampton Bay Collette Fire Pit instead of an additional set of chairs. I also loved the Martha Stewart Living Charlottetown Seating Set Lounge Chair, but felt mixing wicker with metal wouldn’t be very attractive.

Creating a patio from scratch

Instead of looking at various sets, I decided to spend more time on the Home Depot website to play around with creating a custom patio furniture selection. I wanted to pick colors, styles and accessories and figured that could be a way to do it, especially when it came to determining cost. I know I wanted metal patio furniture, since that’s what we currently have. Also, since we’re in the south, we don’t have to worry so much about winter storage. Instead, I want something that can stand a lot of rain and can easily be cleaned off after a downpour. (See my nasty dirty patio furniture covered in dead leaves and sticks below. Blech!)

First I picked a color – green, since that’s the color of my current patio umbrella – and the website took me to the various collections . I was looking for metal patio furniture sets that would go with my current patio table set, even though I loved the wicker Charlottetown patio furniture sets. (Sigh.) After checking out a few of the sets, I realized that the Fall River 3-Piece Patio High Bistro Set at $299 along with the Fall River Adjustable Patio Chaise Lounge ($199) and the Fall River Patio Double Glider ($199) might go with my current patio furniture.

I wasn’t quite satisfied, so I decided to look just at accessories, since we only needed a few pieces like a chaise lounge, a fire pit, an umbrella stand, maybe a side table, and new cushions for several of the seats. We also had a nearly rotted through hammock hanging on our side yard, which desperately needed replacing before someone fell through it. (My kids keep playing on it and I keep warning them that it’s about to fall apart. But they don’t listen to me, of course.)

Let’s go shopping!

Here’s some patio furniture I found online that I want to check out on my next trip to Home Depot:

Several of the outdoor fire pits
Maybe a new, prettier patio umbrella and stand
Some new cushions for two seats and the bench
Pawleys Island DuraCord Rope Hammock ($179)
Wrought Iron Black Patio Chaise Lounge ($179)
Wrought Iron Black Patio Double Glider ($179)
Wrought Iron Black 3-Piece Patio Bistro Set ($249)
Wrought Iron Patio Umbrella Base in Black ($39.98)
Wrought Iron Black Oval Patio Dining Table ($199)

If Home Depot doesn’t have the patio furniture I want in the store, they also offer a “shop online and ship to store” option or free shipping on a patio furniture order of $399 or more (see their website for details).

I’m obviously stuck on the wrought iron patio furniture, probably because that’s what I grew up with so it feels “classic” to me. It’s also very reasonably priced. What do you prefer, metal, wood or wicker?

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.

Evaluating our backyard patio space #DigIn is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!